Microsoft Issues Grants to Six Puget Sound Human Service Agencies to Aid in Funding Crisis

In the wake of the current economic downturn, Puget Sound human-services organizations are facing record demand for food, shelter and employment services as they also struggle to manage the rising cost of their operations. Washington State has the second-highest unemployment and hunger levels in the entire U.S. For example, the recent annual count for King County, WA, documented an 18% increase in the number of people on the streets. More than half of them were women with children.

In an effort to assist these nonprofits and the Seattle community, Microsoft Corporation recently granted $375,000 to six human-services organizations that collectively touch all of King County. Each organization is a Microsoft nonprofit partner, with which the company has worked on an ongoing basis to provide programmatic and operational support. The recipients are: Food Lifeline, Northwest Harvest, Hopelink, Fremont Public Association, Multi-Service Center of South King County and YWCA.

"Unfortunately the current economy has created a situation in which the demand for health and human services in the Puget Sound is exceeding supply," said Pamela Passman, head of Microsoft's Corporate Affairs. "As a locally based company, Microsoft is committed to supporting area organizations in an effort not only to help with the funding shortage, but to make the region a vibrant place for economic development."

"The current economic climate has taken a toll on our state's entire nonprofit community, making it harder for agencies to extend vital services to those in need," Gov. Gary Locke said. "Microsoft's financial support will help these organizations continue to provide our most vulnerable citizens with such essential needs as food, shelter and employment."

In addition to the general funding shortages, these organizations also face the annual summertime decrease in nonprofit donations. In the case of Northwest Harvest, many of its clients are unemployed despite their dedication and hard work, either recently laid off or without a job for long periods of time. "Microsoft has been supporting us for several years with company food drives, employee donations and volunteer programs," said Executive Director Shelley Rotondo. "This contribution came at a critical time for our clients, and will be extremely helpful in providing them with a bridge from crisis back to stability."

In the past two years, Hopelink, which provides a wide range of services directly benefiting families, children, elderly and the disabled, has watched the need for services continue to climb as funds have dwindled. "The need for food has increased 31 percent since 2000, and the need for shelter has risen, forcing our housing program to turn away 10 families for every one family seeking shelter at our transitional housing facilities," said Executive Director Doreen Marchione. "Thanks to this Microsoft grant, there will be immediate relief to many families on the edge of homelessness and hunger, and Hopelink's focus to holistically serve the increasing depths of need we are seeing during these harsh economic times will be strengthened."

"Microsoft's generosity is a wonderful example of how many businesses are addressing critical community needs exacerbated by the current recession," said Steve Leahy, President and CEO of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

These latest grants build upon Microsoft's long history of providing general operating support and capital grants to human service agencies in the Puget Sound. Since 1983, Microsoft and its employees have supported a wide range of nonprofit organizations serving local communities. Last year local donations by the company and its employees totaled $36 million in cash and software.